CHENNAI: A little close to 5 pm on Friday evening, auto rickshaw drivers were hovering over every single commuter coming out of the Government Estate metro station in Chennai. "Anna, stadium ah?," quipped one. "Only 100 Rs, come, I will take you," asked another.
If one manages get out of the crowd of auto drivers, then came the replica jersey vendors. "Do you want cap? One T shirt anna," asked one vendor.
It is the first IPL match of the season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and the buzz could be felt right out of the metro station. Chennai Super Kings are taking on Punjab Kings, and they are looking to turn things around after the drubbing in Guwahati against Rajasthan Royals. This match, in Chennai, is not just about the result. There is more to it.
For the last two years, Chennai have had disappointing runs, especially at their home venue, which used to be a fortress. They have lost to Punjab in the last three seasons at Chepauk. Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat them at this venue after 18 years. The five-time winners have struggled to adapt to the flatter conditions — unlike the spinning tracks of the past — and it has shown in the second half of the 2025 season.
This year, there is more at stake. CSK have undergone a complete revamp, trying to build with young, uncapped Indians that can thrive on good pitches. It also meant they are trying to find new heroes while trying to move on from an eternal one — MS Dhoni. Truth be told, Dhoni and CSK can never be separated, but they have a new captain in Ruturaj Gaikwad who is trying to make this team his own. They have also gone out of their way to get Sanju Samson — someone who is adored and celebrated more in this part of the country than anywhere else. Then come the lines of Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Prashant Kishore and Kartik Sharma. These are players who are yet to win the love of the loyal Chennai fan base.
And the only way to do it is by stepping up and winning. Friday gives them the perfect opportunity, as Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and put CSK in to bat first.
In the lead up to the match, there were questions about the interest among fans for the contest without Dhoni, who is injured and Dewald Brevis. Chennai summer has already kicked in as well. However, by the time Samson and Gaikwad walk out to bat, the stands looked almost full. The stage is set for new heroes to emerge. Now, over to CSK players to grab the chance and become stars.